WHEN Peter Hanson woke from a coma to find himself paralysed from the chest down following a road accident, the life he once knew seemed over.

Unable to drink, feed or bathe himself and confined to a wheelchair he faced the prospect of life in a care home, far from the comforts he once enjoyed and which most of us take for granted.

But thanks to the county council's direct payments scheme, Peter, of Morton Road, Fernhill Heath, was able to leave behind the nursing home - where he was deeply unhappy - and return to his own home, regaining much of the spirit, independence and freedom he thought he had lost forever.

He returned to his own home in October 2005 and he is now looked after by five part-time carers who, between them, provide 64 hours of care a week.

Peter was left paralysed after he suffered a suspected heart attack at the wheel of his car, causing him to crash in Sinton Green on October 4, 1997.

Direct payments also helped pay for an overhead hoist to get him in and out of bed, as well as other modifications to his home.

Peter is now completely responsible for his own care and personally interviewed all the carers he now employs.

He said: "It has transformed my life utterly for the better. I couldn't see myself spending the rest of my life in a care home. It would have driven me insane. Direct payments has given me my life back. It has given me an interest and an ability to help other disabled people as well. I have got my independence again. The trouble with a nursing home is that it can become quite institutional. My carers work as a team which means you have got that flexibility. They know that I come first.

"The scheme will also save the Government money in the longer term. Thankfully, Worcestershire County Council is one of the best in the country when it comes to delivering direct payments."

Despite the advantages of the scheme, the council says not enough people are taking advantage of it.

They have released a DVD in partnership with the Department of Health, called Buying Freedom, in a bid to increase the number of people using direct payments.